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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (May 25, 2016)
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2016 FEATURES Neighbor wants reimbursement Dear Annie: I am 71 years old, and I have taken care of my neigh- bor, “Martha,” for 15 years. I did everything for Martha, includ- ing shopping, taking her to doctor appointments and ixing anything that needed repairs. She passed away last year and had no will. Martha has one daughter who lives in another state. The daugh- ter left with her stepdad when she was a teenager. She and Martha went 30 years without speaking to each other. After the stepdad died, the daughter got her foot back in the door. Martha was worth around $100,000. My question is, can I get anything from her estate for taking care of her? I put my life on hold to do it. Martha always said that she was going to make it up to me, but I guess she never got around to it. — Good Neighbor Dear Neighbor: We hope you didn’t take care of Martha solely to get money out of her estate. Because if she didn’t put it in writ- ing, then you are not likely to get a dime unless her daughter chooses to compensate you. If you bought things for Martha and you kept receipts, or you have documenta- tion about taking her to doctor’s appointments and ixing things, you Annie’s Mailbox Creators Syndicate Inc. Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar may be able to be reimbursed from the estate. You sound like a caring person who made a neighbor feel com- forted and cared for. Please let that be your reward. Dear Annie: I’d like to respond to the letter from “Befuddled Grandma,” whose young grand- daughter, “Harper,” has a seri- ous tree nut allergy. She and Harp- er’s mother are not doing the girl any favors by making her cousin, “Cyndi,” eat only things that are nut-free. They are setting up these girls for a lifetime of conlict. I have lived with a peanut allergy for nearly 50 years. My par- ents were honest about what would happen to me if I ate or touched pea- nuts. As a result, I wasn’t tempted by what my sister or cousins ate. I always got my own treat — some- thing I liked and wanted. At home, I was always served irst to avoid cross-contamination. We had strict rules about cleaning up and touch- ing things. In 50 years, I’ve had only two reactions from situations involving my family. I’m not downplaying the dan- ger. I have landed in the ER more than 30 times and the causes were mainly labels that didn’t list pea- nut oil, restaurants that were not required to tell the truth about food content and skin contact from con- taminated surfaces. The last is now a bigger problem because, these days, people are constantly eating in public. Many snack foods have pea- nuts and people touch everything. Please tell “Grandma” and her overprotective daughter that both Harper and Cyndi should be able to eat whatever they want as long as they don’t exchange bites and Cyndi doesn’t touch nuts and then touch her cousin. — It Can Be Done Dear It: Your parents taught you how to protect yourself at an early age. Apparently, Harper’s parents haven’t done so, which makes her more vulnerable to cross-contami- nation. At some point, Harper will have to learn to manage her allergy without Mom running interference. We hope that happens soon. 5A Tomorrow’s horoscope By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc. ARIES (March 21-April 19). When some- one you respect is in charge you fall right into compliance with what’s being request- ed of you. But when it’s time to self-regu- late, you’ll be in a mood to push the limits. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Write your wishes because there is power in your ink- paper-hand-heart connection. If your wish is a secret it will be even luckier for you to have it in this form, as powerful as it is hid- den away. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Something will take place to improve the situation be- tween you and that person who is causing you pain. Will it be gentle talk or honest, tough love? Only you know the mode that will best suit the relationship. CANCER (June 22-July 22). Other peo- ple’s dramas will only sound like gossip or a decoy if they come from you. Besides, the most interesting events center on you. Be- lieve it and share your own stories. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Like a college student afraid to join the real world work- force, sometimes learning can be used as an excuse not to move forward. You know all you need to know. Now get out there and use it. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You’ll be do- ing business on behalf of those unable or unwilling to do it themselves. There’s honor in this. Also responsibility — it’s best not to dwell on that part. Just execute this quickly with a clear intention and a light heart. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). A great coach will help you think ahead of where you are and help you plan and do all it takes to get to the next level. Keep this in mind and you will eventually attract the right person. FRANK AND ERNEST BLONDIE THATABABY SALLY FORTH PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN B.C. LOLA DILBERT SIX CHIX BIZARRO MUTTS NON SEQUITUR BABY BLUES WIZARD OF ID ZITS ROSE IS ROSE SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Today will feel a bit like working in a computer pro- gram you basically know, until you hit that one key that sends you to an entirely differ- ent screen you’re not sure how to escape from. Breathe and ask for help. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Sure, you’ve done brave things. Some might even call you heroic. But this isn’t what you’ve built your reputation on. Consistency and good cheer have earned you major loyalty. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You will get people working in concert to effect meaningful change. This talent of yours is not to be taken lightly, even though it doesn’t require much effort from you today. One successful act will have a snowball ef- fect. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). You will learn who you are by seeing what you can do. You will learn what you can do by trying what you probably can’t do. The one who is least afraid of looking ridiculous wins! PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Sometimes the superficial things you think are going to make you happy actually do. As much as you’d like to claim the spiritually high road, a lower indulgence may do just as much to stoke your joy. THURSDAY’S BIRTHDAY (May 26). Your exploring mind will set sail in a new study this year that will open up an entire trajec- tory of new friends and environments. The romantic aspects of love will be highlighted in July. Save and find ways to earn more in July and you’ll be in a prime position to take a chance in business in August. Libra and Virgo adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 9, 14, 33, 28 and 5.
